Avalanche danger has reached a near-season high this week.
With recent snowfall and an ongoing winter storm weather warning, Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center forecasters have rated all local mountain ranges at “high” on the avalanche danger scale.
That means travel in avalanche terrain is discouraged until the snowpack stabilizes on Togwotee Pass and in the Teton, Snake River, Gros Ventre, Salt and Wyoming ranges, which could take some time with the snow in the forecast.
A screenshot from the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center forecast shows all local ranges are experiencing “high” danger. Travel in avalanche terrain isn’t recommended. (Courtesy Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center)
“Enjoy the fresh snow, but don’t become complacent as the powder becomes deeper,” the BTAC report reads. “Weird weather creates weird avalanches.”
BTAC forecasters report that avalanches at a scale that could bury a house are likely triggered at all elevations and on all faces.
Over the weekend, skiers triggered an avalanche of that size in the Phillips Pass area just north of Teton Pass, a D3 on the five-point D-scale. There were no injuries or burials reported.
At the fourth highest color-rating on the five-point avalanche danger scale, this week’s rating shows “all red,” or “high” danger levels. Burials that could injure or kill recreators are much more likely.
Several large storms in the forecast on top of drought-stricken weak layers are one factor contributing to this week’s avalanche risk.
A winter storm warning went into effect Tuesday morning and lasts until at least 5 p.m. Wednesday. Snowfall may total over a foot in the next five days at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, according to the Open Snow forecast.
“Avalanches have been triggered on the January drought layers the last 5 days despite any snowfall,” the forecast discussion states.
